Requiem [COMPLETED]

Not-Mandatory Fluff Chapter (don't tell Sven!)

Sven didn't notice the cold wind kicking up leaves in his face when he walked home—or the fact that I trailed behind. Sven made a pot of coffee and sat up all night finishing applications. In the morning I innocently asked him why he was doing applications. "Charlie suggested a couple programs," he muttered, not looking up.

In the morning he ordered transcripts and sent them off—right after the early decision deadlines. Then he started to research professors at different programs and email and call their offices, trying to get them interested. I could tell he was nervous from the way he was destroying his nails again, biting them until they bled, but he still seemed happier than before. Especially when Charlie got back from the long MEA weekend in October and was over almost every day hanging out again.

We were all laying around. Sven spoke first: "Why is being alive so expensive all the damn time? I'm not even having a good time."

"Don't even—I'm so broke right now."

"How broke?"

"If someone robbed me it would just be practice."

"I thought you just flew to Florida for the break."

Charlie shrugged. "We got a sweet deal on tickets and stayed at somebody's grandparents' place. The airport is as lawless as fucking south Florida though—7am? Drink a margarita. Tired? Sleep on the floor. Or the beach, with homeless and drunk frats. Hungry? Chips now cost $15 dollars. Everywhere if you look closely you can probably catch someone dropping trou and pissing in public. Women screaming. Why do all women seem to scream? All ages, happy, sad, pissed off, they run around in packs screaming, especially when drunk."

I cleared my throat.

"Present company excluded."

"And that is yet another reason for not dating women," muttered my brother. Charlie threw him an adoring look that of course he failed to notice. I threw him a glare that he also failed to notice.

Stupid brother.

* * *

Chuck <3: Do you ever just see something that changes your life for the better?

Sven: I saw you and then you became my friend, prolly the greatest day of my life.

Chuck <3: Awwwww now I feel bad I was just going to send you a screenshot of this giant rainbow unicorn pool floatie thing...

Sven: Do you realize you're going to hurt or embarrass me but then type the original thing you were going to say anyway?

Chuck <3: no shit I'm sorry I just have no filter sometimes. I just get excited.

Sven: Dude I literally have no filter, because I have ASPBERGERS.

Chuck <3: LOL sorry!

Sven: You've known me for like two decades, how do you do this?

Chuck <3: You realize we've lasted longer than most marriages right?

Sven: Hmm. Well... you're forgiven.

Chuck <3: Yay!

Chuck <3: how much data do you have left? I want to send you some pics

Sven: I never have data, I have the cheapest plan available. It's like 60 minutes talk and 200 text messages. I pay overage charges for data.

Chuck <3: Shit how do you survive?!?

Sven: I usually have minutes rollover. And you're 90 percent of my texting.